Skyteam: which program should I add?
 

I am going to fly with Kenya Airways and the agent reminds me to register the frequent flyer program. Not until then I found out that I have enrolled in the following programs:

1. SkyMiles (first it was WorldPerks then some years ago it merged with Delta's SkyMiles)
2. Skypass (with Korean Air)
3. Flying Blue (with KLM)

I didn't aware until recent that both of them are under SkyTeam. And actually I don't quite understand the relationship between SkyTeam and Flying Blue/SkyMiles/SkyPass. What I know is that I can't combine the miles of different programs.

So first question is which program should I enrol for my Kenya Airways ticket, with a view to maximizing the miles for my future use? (Neither program has sufficient miles for redemption yet.) Do I register Flying Blue under Kenya Airways or I can add the miles to my existing Flying Blue a/c created with KLM?

Another question is how does the SkyTeam work with all these individual flying programs, given that miles cannot be combined?

Thank you in advance.

Sky team is an airline alliance (like Star Alliance and One World). Each alliance has some affiliated airlines (e.g. Skyteam includes, AF, KL, AZ, KQ, DL, GA, VN, MU, CZ, KE, OK, etc). Each airline has its own FFP (frequent flyer program) but several airlines in the same alliance share sometimes the same FFP (e.g in Skyteam, Flying Blue is shared by AF, KL, UX, RO and KQ (Kenya Airways). In Star Alliance, Miles & More is shared by LH, LX, OS and LO).
Usually an alliance ensure earning miles on all airlines of the alliance whatever the alliance FFP you are a member of (e.g if you are a FLying Blue member, you earn miles when flying DL, CZ,etc). Normally it is useless to be a member of several FFP within the same alliance (your case)
All I told above are simplified rules, but there are more complex things in the FFP rules.
In your case, as you are a member of 3 Skyteam programmers (FB, SkyMiles and KE), you can choose the one you want to credit a KQ flight. Note that FB is the FFP of KQ, so it might be more interesting to credit it to FB. The best for you is to check, for the fare you are booked in, how many miles you would earn in FB or in SM.

This is the same FB. You already have a FB account. No need to open another one. This is the same programme.

What are your long term objectives from a FFP?
As well as Skyteam airlines look at which other airlines are partners of Kenya Airways
You add your ffp member number to the reservation to get miles into your ffp (if an eligible earning class)

Look here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/skyte...i-sign-up.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html

Thanks for the advice.

I don't travel a lot and I always pick the cheapest flight so it turns out that sometimes i spread mileages into different programme.

For SkyTeam I will almost lost its miles (expiring 2016) without sufficient miles for redemption. I am going to fly with Kenya so I want to check how can I make use of it.

Thanks for your information. I noticed that my FB a/c has expired. For Kenya Airways, I am having a ticket in T class but I can't find the miles I can earn from its website. Would you be able to give me the link so that I can check whether SkyPass or SkyMiles is better to credit the flight? thanks.

According to my checking, I can earn 100% miles for T-class KQ with Skypass (my balance is 9152); while for SkyMiles only 50% base miles (balance is 12974).

You have reminded me to review my objectives with SkyTeam. Having gone through the website I think that it is a bit too complicated (SkyMiles) and inconvenient (SkyPass) in terms of language and programme variety. I'd rather to put all my future miles to AM (which I am more familiar with the rules of game).
For the coming trip with KQ, I think SkyPass has an advantage that I can at least call them from Hong Kong to ask and they have a family plan. If I understand correctly, in case my own a/c is insufficient for an award ticket I can use up my family's (combine more miles) for the redemption.
Both SP and SM require more miles for award tickets. My balance will probably be wasted as there are not many other options for redemption.

You can check on Flying Blue website.

Yes I know the ratio. But can't find the exact miles that particular route has (eg., 1200miles and then I have 100% to Korean Air but just 600miles to Delta.)

Not always excatly the same miles as the airlines, but close http://gc.kls2.com/